If you have a tendency to determine the life of your exercise shoes by just looking at them, you need to read this article! Holes in a shoe are not the only determining factor. Also, how clean they look is not a determining factor! There is more that goes into it.
First: Buy the right pair of shoes
Go to a running store if you are a walker or runner, and have a professional scan your feet, watch you walk/run, and make recommendations for the right shoes and inserts for you. Same goes for sports: get the right shoe for the job. If you weight lift, get weightlifting shoes. If you wrestle, get wrestling shoes. If you play tennis, get tennis shoes. Picking up what I am putting down?
And make sure the shoe fits you appropriately. And if you haven’t been measured for new shoes in the last many years, it is time to be remeasured. Most of us have feet that change over the years either in length or width. Or both!
Time frames:
Running shoes need replaced every 300-500 miles OR every 3-6 months (especially if you run 4-5 days a week). Cleats – a very good pair should last a few seasons, otherwise replace every 1-2 seasons. This may be more frequent for growing feet! May have to be every season for middle school and high school athletes. Growing feet generally need new cleats every season.
Tips that you need new shoes
If the tread is completely flat on the bottom of your shoes, you are past ready for new shoes! The knobs and valleys on the tread should not be completely shaved down by the time you are ready for new shoes! And if the foam is showing where the treat should be – oh boy!
If you are hurting in the feet or legs and having ‘shin splints’ suddenly, you are ready for new shoes! Or, the shoes you are wearing don’t have the right support for you. That is a great time to have someone properly fit you for the right shoes.
Weight lifting wears out shoes faster (and can even damage shoes). It is best to get weightlifting shoes for weightlifting because they are made to handle the loads.
Shoe inserts may be necessary – hard inserts are better than soft. Shoe inserts may also extend the life of your sneakers and can often be used beyond the life of the shoe. Sometimes for many shoe cycles.
And, if you walk, run, exercise, play a sport a lot, etc., it is probably best to get 2 pairs. That way when you wear one pair one day, that shoe’s foam can return to normal better and therefore the life of the shoe can be extended much better than just using 1 pair of shoes every single day, all day.
Hope this helps!!!
Heal today, transform tomorrow. Unlock your potential to heal, learn and grow. – Dr. Barb Wally, LLC
Note: These blog articles are not in exchange for a one on one Physical Therapy visit. Please contact me if you are interested in receiving a Physical Therapy visit!
*This content is original and copyright Dr Barb Wally, LLC*
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